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The Lafayette City Council has appointed Stella Wotherspoon to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Councilmember Gina Dawson.

Five applications were received, and all applicants were interviewed by the City Council during a special meeting on July 15, 2025.  After careful consideration, the City Council unanimously selected Stella Wotherspoon to fill the vacancy and serve on the City Council until the next regularly scheduled municipal election in November 2026.

In her application, Stella Wotherspoon said, “I came to Lafayette in 2012 with my family, drawn by the schools, the natural beauty, the walkable downtown, and the civic-minded, engaged community. I place high value on service to my community and have been a lifelong volunteer.”

Stella Wotherspoon has served on the City’s Transportation and Circulation Commission (2019 to present) with a focus on transportation network effectiveness and road safety. She has also served on the General Plan Advisory Committee (2021 to present) and contributed to the Housing and Safety Element updates. In addition to her City service, she has served on community boards and committees:

• Measure H Citizens' Campaign Committee – Co Chair 2024
• Acalanes Performing Arts Boosters - Board Member 2022 to present
• Lafayette Partners in Education - Board Member 2023-2024
• Acalanes High School’s School Advisory Council 2023-2024

Mayor Susan Candell said, "It was a pleasure to interview the outstanding candidates for City Council, but it was clear that Stella Wotherspoon was the most qualified based on her grasp of the current issues facing the city, as well as her deep understanding of how our government works here in Lafayette.  She is the only candidate that can hit the ground running, which is essential since there is no time for training as she is sworn in immediately upon this appointment.  She will truly be a welcome addition on our Council." 

Wotherspoon has a master's degree in Geography/Geospatial Information Systems from San Jose State University and has worked as a higher education capital campaign officer, product manager in software technology firms, and geospatial data analyst in the public sector. She enjoys hiking Lafayette’s many nature trails as well as going on walks in downtown Lafayette with her family.

For more information about the Lafayette City Council, visit www.lovelafayette.org/council.